There has long been argument about whether aquaculture – the alternative to wild-harvested fish – is better or worse for the environment. While farmed fish like salmon or prawns take some of the pressure off wild fish populations, they also raise such environmental issues as wastewater pollution; the loss of wild habitat such as mangrove forests; pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics; concerns that farmed fish escape and compete with wild species; the spread of parasites and diseases; and the use of wild-caught fish for fish feed. The newly formed Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), like its cousin the MSC, works with the aquaculture industry, setting standards for sustainable aquaculture, and likewise gives its seal of approval to fish farms and their products that meet strong environmental sustainability requirements. So far, ASC standards for abalone, bivalves, tilapia and the catfish pangasius have been finalized, while standards for trout, salmon and shrimp will be completed by the end of 2012, followed by standards for seriola (also known as amberjack) and cobia (also known as ling).

Healthy people in a healthy environment

Good health and well-being require a clean and harmonious environment where physical, psycho - logical, social and aesthetic factors are all given their due importance. These factors are affected by actions and choices which can secure considerable health benefits. The environment is thus not only important for its own sake, but as a resource for better living conditions and well-being.

What we’ve agreed: the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Millennium Development Goals

Green savings

What young people want

Water – the key to life

The air we breathe

Safer, quieter towns and cities of the future – reclaiming the streets